Virtual Reality in Pediatric Dentistry

This study is a randomized controlled trial with a crossover design. Patients who are visiting the clinic for a comprehensive or periodic dental exam and are found to require two or more dental sealants (at least one sealant per side). The study subjects will include children ages 6-18 who are ASA I or II, as defined by the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification system. The proposed sample size for the study is 40 participants.

The children who are enrolled in the study will serve as both the experimental group and their own control. This is a split mouth design in which children who are enrolled in the study will serve as both the experimental group and their own control. After the child and parent are scheduled for the dental sealant appointment, they will be randomly assigned to receive the virtual reality system as a distraction technique for the first half or the latter half of the appointment (for research purposes). During the time when virtual reality is not used, traditional basic behavior guidance techniques will be used, as is the standard of care.

The virtual reality system being used for research purposes is the RelieVR by Applied VR which includes the goggle headset only. The VR experience will be an immersive experience where the child will interact with the system and navigate their way through a game that will involve bright colors, cartoon-like characters and settings with age-appropriate content. The VR system will be worn for approximately 5-10 minutes during the dental sealant application.

The behavior, and anxiety will be analyzed at specific steps of the procedure including:

• Baseline (patient sitting in the chair prior to treatment)
• During sealant placement with Virtual Reality distraction
• During sealant placement with basic behavior guidance techniques
• Post Operative (patient sitting upright in chair, 5 minutes after procedure)

The patient's anxiety will be evaluated with a change in heart rate.

Additionally, at the end of each appointment for the duration of the study, the provider will assign the patient a Frankl behavior score 1-5, and record it in the patient's chart, as is the standard of care. The provider will also complete a Healthcare Provider Questionnaire through Qualtrics.

The demographic factors will be collected from the patient's medical chart. The parent will be asked "how many hours of "screen time" (TV, computer, video games, tablet use), would you say that your child is allowed per week?". Parents and patients will also be asked to complete a satisfaction survey post-treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 6-18
• ASA I or II
• Present to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Pediatric Dental Clinic and Children's Dental Health Clinic at Long Beach Memorial Hospital for an initial or periodic exam, and are determined to require two or more dental sealants (at least one sealant per half mouth)

Exclusion criteria

Children with visual, auditory, or tactile deficits that would interfere with the ability to complete the experimental tasks

• Children who are unable to tolerate the RelievRx by AppliedVR will be screened after consenting to research participation by trying on the VR goggles and stating that they are comfortable and willing to proceed with wearing them during their dental appointment.
• Examples of children who may be unable to tolerate the VR goggles may include:

• Children who wear glasses and are unable to comfortably adjust the system over their glasses
• Children who experience dizziness, motion sickness or other discomfort during use
• Children who remove the VR goggles prior to dental sealant application
• Children who require pharmacological means to complete dental treatment (nitrous oxide, sedative drugs or general anesthesia)
• Children with a significant medical history of seizure disorders as flickering from devices can trigger epileptic episodes.
• Children with developmental disabilities
• Children with a psychiatric disorder, organic brain syndrome, mental retardation, or other known cognitive/neurological disorders
• Children that are not English or Spanish speaking